Ahhh, this is where it all began; the Traverse City Prospect Tournament. Since the Red Wings started this yearly tournament up in 1998, there has since been one set up in Penticton (with Edmonton, Vancouver, Calgary, San Jose and Anaheim) and in Toronto (with the Leafs, Chicago, Pittsburgh and Ottawa). These mini tournaments give teams the chance to take a closer look at their system of prospects before the main training camp opens up next week.

In Traverse City this year are Detroit, Minnesota, St. Louis, Tampa Bay, NYR, Dallas, Carolina and Columbus. Games started last Saturday with each team playing three games before advancing to mini playoffs. The tournament concludes today with games at 2pm, 2:30pm, 5:30pm and 6pm, with the 2-0-1 Wings facing off against the 3-0 Wild in the finals.